Switch.



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swncH. APPLICATION FILED IANZ. 1914. RENEWED IUNE I5, I9I6.

Patented Oct. 23,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

. G. W. HART.

SWITCH.

APPUCATION FILED 1AN.2.1914. RENEWEDJUNE15.1916. 1,244,085. Patented oet.. 23,1917.

2 SHEETS-'SHEET 2.

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UNITED sTATEs GERALD W. HART, F WEST HARTFORD,

CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE HART MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Application filed January 2, 1914, Serial No. 809,877.

, To all whom t may concernm Be it known that I, GERALD 1V. HART, a citizen of the United States, residing at West Hartford, Hartford county, Connecti- 5 cut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches, of which the following isa full, clear, and exactxdescription.

My invention relates to improvements in electric switches, and has for its object to produce .a single coilremote-controlled switch of the character just referred to, having two controlling circuits,` one for `opening and the other for'closing the coil, 'and means for breaking each of ysaid controlling circuits after the solenoid has been actuated to either fully close and lock the switch o1- release the lock. ItA further has for its object to provide a switch actuated iby a single coil having locking means which control the auxiliary controlling circuits. lt further has for its object to provide a remote-controlled switch of the plunger type having means for locking it closed and nor- 25 mally tending to move it to open'position,

said switch having a single operating coil, which when energized shall act to both close the switch if it is in open position and to release they lock so as to permit the switch to move under its normal tendency. The following is a description of an embodi ment of my invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a partial section of the switch on the' linel w- Fig. 4.

Figs2 is a transverse section on the line y-y with the switch in open position.

' Fig. 3 shows a similar section with the switch in closed position. Y 40 Fig. 4 is a ,plan View with the cap plate removed. 1 Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail showing the locking means partially in section on the line Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged section detail of the movable abutment.4

Fig. 7 Vshows details of the movable pluner. 5 g Fig. l8 shows l an end view front 'view cit' the releaser.

Fig. 9 shows a diagram of circuits. Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 is a-switch base -of insulating material carrying'the main contacts 2 2 and 2-2 rsecured thereto and provided with vand partial Specification of Letters Patent.

SWITCH.

Patented Oct. 23, 1917.

Renewed June 15, 1916. Serial No. 103,909.

binding posts 3 3. Mounted upon tlieA base iS a solenoid 4 within which is a stationary bube 5, preferably of brass. Surrounding the solenoid is a casing 6 of iron or other magnetic material closed at its bottom by a plate 7 of similar material so as to inclose the solenoid and furnish a ready magnetic path for the magnetic lines of force therethrough. To the top of the'casing 6 is secured a cup-shaped member 8 having an insulated inner surface. In the present instance this cup-shaped member 8 is composed of insulating material such as 4porcelain or ber. Within the brass tube 5 is a member 9 capable of moving in both directions.

This movable member is made of non-magnetic material such as brass. Surrounding the lower end of the movable member or plunger 9 is an armature 10 of magnetic ma- 'terial, which is. connected to the member 9 so as to have lost motion relatively thereto.

This connection is formed by a pin 11 passing through elongated slots l2 formed' in the member 9. The member 9 in the form shown is tubular `and within it is located a metal block 13, which is rigidly connected to the armature 10 by the pin. 11, so that the two move together and each have lost mo` of the same upon the movable armature 10. This core is provided with a recess 16, the

lower surface of which forms a seater stationary abutment for the locking balls 17, which are located in diametrically opposite holes in the upper-portion of the member 9.`

spring 19, whose upper end engages a clo.

sure 20 carried by the upper end of the member 9. The spring 19 presses the movable abutment downward and when the switch is in unlocked position, tends to force the lock- .ing balls 17 outward, so that when the solenoid 4 is energized so-as to raise the armature 10 and the member 9v sui'liciently to bring the balls 17 above the abutment formed by the bottoni the recess 1G. the

balls will be tor-ced outward by theinovable' abutment into the position shown in 3 and lock the member 9 in raised position.

21 is a releaser, the same being a` strip oi" metal somewhat loosely mounted on the block 13.` This releaser y21 has a shoulder 22 (Fig. 8) which is adapted to engage with a shoulder 23 (Fig. (3) iornied on the movable abutment. A leaic spring 2l mounted on the block 13 and bearing against one side of the releaser 21 tends to move the upper end thereoil sidewise, so that the shoulder 22 will lie in the path ot the shoulder lllhen the member 9 isin depressed position, the right hand ball 17 engages the right hand side of the member 21 and moves it so that its shoulder22 is held out of the path of the shoulder 23 of the movable abutment. The other detent ball 17 engages the-opposite side ot the releaser 22, and the two balls thus positively detine the position of the releaser when the switch is un'- locked. lVhen the switch is locked, the balls 17 being moved outward by the action of the movable abutment 18 will tree the releaser 21, so that it is at liberty, so far as they are concerned, to move so as to bringv the-shoulder 22 into the path of the shoulder 23. When the switch is locked and the solenoid is denergized, the parts assume vthe position shown in Fig. 3, with the shoulder 22 directly under the shoulder 23. lVhen the armature is again raised, the shoulder 22 engages the shoulder 23 and lifts the movable abutment 18 vso as to permit the balls 17 to withdraw from the stationary abutment formed by the recess 15, whereupon the plunger 9 falls, the parts assuming the position shown in Fig. 2.

The solenoidl 4, as will hereafter be eX- plained, is controlled` by, two auxiliary circuits, and it is desirable tohave means for breaking either of those circuits assoon as it has served its purpose. In order to secure the breaking of these circuits, I provide stationary contacts 25-26, the firstof which is included in the auxiliary circuit for releasing the detent and the other ot which is included in the auxiliary circuit for closing the switch.

Coacting with these two contacts is an oscillating contact arm 27 carrying two leaf springs 27 between which is a -contact mem` ber 28. rhe arm 27 is pivoted at 29 to a metallic upright 3Q secured to the bottom of the member 8 and has a depending arm 31, which is piVoted to a sliding bar 32 of insulating material, whose inner end passes through an opening in the side wall of the recess 16, so as to lie in the path of one of the balls "17. This bar is providedwith a shoulder 33, against which acts a spring 34 tending to keep the bar in its inner position, and consequently to arm and contact membc sition, as shown in Fig. u tact i is in engagement with the .stationary ln this 'way it will be seen that when the balls 17 are in engagement with the abutment at the bottoni ot the recess 1G, the bar 32 is forced outward by one oi1 .the balls 17 against the action ot the spring 3l and the contact 28 is brought into engage-- ment with the lower stationary Contact 25, and that when the member 9 is unlocked so that the balls17 lare no longer in engagement with that abutment, thecontact member is brought into engagement with the upper stationary contact 26, as shown in Fig. 2. n

'flo the lower end ot' the movable member 9 is rigidly secured a cross arm 35, carrying switch arms 3G-36, insulated therefrom, which, when the member 9 is in elevated position, engage the contacts 2 2 and 2--2, closing the switch, and when the member 9 is in depressed .position dsengage those contacts so as to open the switch. The plate is provided with perforated lugs 37, through which screws 38pass, said screws extending into the iron plate 7. The heads of these screws limit the downward movement of the plate 35 and the parts connected thereto. The screws 38 are surrounded by springs 39 located between the plates 7 and the lugs 37, and force the plate 35 downward when the locking balls 17 are released so as to permit the switch to open.

The base 1 is provided with recesses and partial divisions 35', one of which is partially broken away in Fig. 1, so as to clearly show one of the screws 38 and springs 39. The switch arms are thereby separated so as to prevent damage to the operating parts by any arcing that may occur upon thev opening of the switch.

The circuit connections are shown in Fig.

9 in connection fwit-h a suitable two-button controlling switch l0. As shown in this diagram, one terminal of the solenoid 4 is connected to the linel contacts 2 on the generator side and the other is connected to the standard 30 which carries the Contact arm 27. The contacts25 and are connected to the binding posts 25- and 2G respectively, and from these posts conductors lead to a distance and are connected to the contacts 252 and 262 ot' the local circuit controller 40 having an on button 41 and an olf button 42, whereby the free terminal of the solenoid can be connected across the circuit.

The operation of the switch is as follows: lVith parts in the positions shown in Fig. 2, the circuit is as shown in full lines in Fig. 9, lVhen the button l11 is pressed, the solenoid 4 is energized, lifting the armature 10 until the balls 174 pass above the stationary abutment into holding position, as shown in Fig.

3. During the lost motion period of the armature, the releaser 21, guided by the balls 17, moves upward, so that the shoulder 22 docs not engage the shoulder 23 on the movable abutment. The movable abutment is therefore free to push the balls 17 into holding position, when they reach the stationary abutment. As they move into this holdingposition, one of them pushes the bar 32 outward, causing the contact 28 to leave the contact 26 and engage the contact 25, thereby breaking the circuit containing the button 41 and making the circuit containing the button 40. The solenoid 4 is thereby deenergized asfso'on as the switch is locked. As soon as the solenoid is denergized, the spring 14 moves the armature 10 downward, this being possible by reason of the lost motion between the armature 10 and the member 9. The shoulder 22 of the releaser .is thus brought below the shoulder 23 of theA movable abutment,I and being unrestrainedL by the ba-lls 17, isforced into alinement therewith by the spring 24. When the but-l ton 40 is thereafter actuated, the solenoid is againenergizedf and the. ,armature raised, this being possible on account of its lost motion. This causes the shoulder 2 2 of the releaser to engage the shoulder 23 ofthe movable abutment 18 and lift that abutment so that it releases the balls 17 and unlocks the member 9, which then descends under the action or the springs 39. As the balls 17 move out of Vengagement with the stationary abutment, the bar 32 lmoves from the position shown in Fig. Sto that shown in Fig. 2, under the action of the spring 34, throwing the contact arm 27 out or' engagement with the contact 25 and into engage- -ment with the contact 26 and breaking the circuit through theA solenoid 4 and the but# ton 40, whereupon the armature 10 falls to the position shown in Fig. 2. It will be seen that a single coil acts both to close the switch and to unlock it when successively energized, and that when either of the buttons 40 and41 has been actuated to operate the switch, the operated button immediately bee comes deadand remains so until the switch has been operated' by actuating the other` button.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, the embodiment described permits of various modiications without departing,

from the spirit of my invention or the scope of'. the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. The combination of a member movable in b oth directions and normally tending to move in "one direction, means for locking `said member at the end of its movement in the other direction, lock 'releasing means, a solenoid and armature for alternately moving said member in said other direction and then releasing said locking means when successively energized, said armature being in operative relation to said member and said releasing means, two controlling-circuit terminals, and an auxiliary switch in operative \rclation to said terminals vand `controlled by said locking means for automatically connecting one of said terminals to said solenoid qvhen said member is in locked position and the other to said solenoid when said member is unlocked.

2. The combination or a member 'movable in both directions and normally tending to move in one direction, a detent carried thencby, a stationary abutment engaged by saiy detent when said member has been moved in the other direction so as to lock the same, an armature in operative relation to said member and having lost motion relatively to said member, a detent-releaser connected to said armature and acting to release said detent during the period or lost motion of said armature when said member is locked, said detent holding said releaser out of operative position when said member is unlocked, and a solenoid acting upon said armature to move it in the opposite direction from that in which said member tends to move.

3. rlhe combination of a member movable in both directions and normally tending to move in one direction, a detent carried thereby, a stationary abutment engaged by said detent when 'said member has been moved in the other direction so as to lockI the same, an armature in operative relation to said member and having lost motion relatively to said .membcig a detent-releaser connected to said armature and acting to release said detent during the period of said lost motion when .said member is locked, said detent holding said releaser out of operative position when said member is unlocked, a solenoid actingupon said armature, two controlling-circuit terminals and means inoperative relation to said terminals for connecting one of said terminals to said solenoid when said member is locked, and the other terminal to said solenoid when said member is unlocked.

4. The combination of a member movable in both directions, and normally tending to move in one direction, an ,armature in operative relation to said member and having tent when l'aid detent is ont ot engagement with said statiomiry abutnient, said releaser being free to move into almement with said movable means when said member is locked.

5. The combination of a member nio Yable in both directions and normally tending to move in one direction, an armature in operative relation to said member and having lost motion relatively thereto, a solenoid lor moving said armature, a detent carried b v said movable*member, a stationary abutment with which said detent engages to loclethe member when moved in the other direction, movable means tending to force said vdetent into locking position when in proper relation to said stationary abutment, a releaser carried by said armature for retracting said movable means during said period of lost motion when said member is locked and tending to engage said movable Imeans but held in idle position by said detent when said detent out of engagement with said stationary abutment, said releaser being free to move into alinement with said movable means when said member is locked, two controlling-circuit terminals, and a switch controlled by said detent and in operative relation to said terminals for connectingA one ot said terminals to said solenoid when said member is locked and the other terminal to said solenoid when said member is unlocked.

6. The combination ot a member movable in both directions and normally tending to move in one direction, an armature in operative relation to said member and having lost motion relatively thereto, a ysolenoid for moving said armature, a detent carried by said movable member, a stationary abutment with which said detent engages to lock the member when moved in the other direction, movable means carried by said member and tending toforcesaid detent into lockingposition, a releaser carried by said armature for retracting said movable means during the period of said lost motion when said member is locked and tending to engage said movable means but held in idle position by said detent when said detent vis out of engagement with said Y stationary abutment, said releaser being free to move into alinement with said movable means when said member is locked, two circuit-controlling terminals and a switch controlled by said detent and .in operative relation to said terminals for connecting one of said terminals to said solenoid when said member is locked, a'nd the other terminal to said sole-- noid when said member is unlocked.

7. The combination of a tubular'membe'r movable in both direction and normally tending to move in one direction, a tubular armaturev surrounding the same and having lost motion relatively thereto, al solenoid surrounding said armature for moving the same in the other direction, a detent, an

connected to said armature tor retracting isaid movable means during the period of said lost motion when said member is locked.

8. The combination of a tubular member movabley in. both directions and normally tending to move in one direction, a tubular armature surrounding the same, a solenoid surrounding said armature and in operati ve relation thereto tor movingthe same, a detent, an alaitment with which said detent engages to lock said member when moved in said other direction, movable means tending to torce said detent into locking position, a releaser connected to said armature for retracting said movable means, two controlling-circuit terminals and a switch controlled by said detent. and in operative relation to said terminals Ylor connecting onwel? said terminals to said solenoid when said member is in locked position and the other to said solenoid when said member is unlocked. i

9. The combination of a tubular member movable in both `directions and normally tending to move in one direction, a tubular armature surrounding the same and having lost motion relatively thereto,a solenoid surrounding said armature for moving the same in the other direction, a detent, an abutment with which said detent engages to lock said member when moved in said other direction, movable means tending to force said detent into locking position, a releaser connected to said armature for ret 'acting said movable means during the period ot' said lost motion when said member is locked, and tending to move into alinemcnt therewith but held in idle position when said detent is out of engagement with said abutment. 1

l0. The combination of a tubular member movable in both directions and normally tending to move in one direction, a tubular armature surrounding the same and in operative relation thereto, a solenoid surrounding said armature for moving the same, a detent, an abutment with which said detent engages to lock said member when moved in said other direction, movable means tending to force said detent into locking position, a releaser connected to said armature for retracting said movable means and tending to move into alinement therewith but heldin idle position by said detent when said detent is out of engagement with said abut ment, two controlling-circuit terminals and a switch controlled by said detent for connecting one of said terminals to said solenoid when said member is in locked position and the other to said Vsolenoid when said member is unlocked.

Leagues 5,

tion, a releaser located within said tubular, `member 'and connected to said armature for retracting Isaid movable means and tending to move into alinement therewith. but held in idle position'by said detent vwhen said detent is out of engagement with said abutment, two controlling-circuit terminals and a switch controlled by said detent' for connecting one ofA said terminals to said solenoid when said member is in locked position and the other to said solenoid when said member is unlocked.

\ l2. rlhe combination of a tubular member movable I in both directions and normally tending to move in one direction, a tubular armature surrounding the same and in op-4 erative relation thereto, a solenoid surround- 'ing said armature for moving the same, a detent carried by said movable member, a stationary abutment with which said detent engages to lock said member when moved in said other direction, movable means tending vto force said detent into locking position,

a releaser located within said tubular member and connected to said armature for retracting said movable means and tending to move into alinement therewith but held in idle position by said detent when said detent is out of engagement with said abutment, two controlling-circuit terminals and a switch controlled by said detent for connecting one of said terminals to said solenoid when said member is in locked position and the other to said solenoid when said member is unlocked.

13. The combination of a tubular member movable vin both directions and normally tending to move in one direction, a tubular armature surrounding the same and in operative relation thereto, a solenoid surrounding s'aid armature for moving the same in the other direction, a detent carried by said movable member, a stationary abutment with which said detent engages to lock said member when moved in said other direction, movable means carried by said member and tending to force said detent into locking position, a releaser located within said tubular member and connected to said armaturel for retracting said movable means and tending to move into alinement therewith but held in idle position by said detent when said detent is out of engagement with said abutment.

14. The combination of a switch arm, contacts coperating therewith, a solenoid and an armature therefor, a locking element, means controlled by said solenoid through said armature for moving said switch arm against opposition to a locked closed position when solenoid is energized while said switch arm is in open position and for releasing said locking clement and allowing said switch arm to open when said solenoid is energized while said switch arm is in a closed position, two solenoid operating terminals, and a solenoid controlling switch operated'by the said locking element for automatically transferring the connection from the then live solenoid-operating terminal to the corresponding dead operating terminal after each successive function of said solenoid has been performed.

l5. rThe combination of a member movable in both directions and normally tend-' ing to move in one direction, means for locking said member at the end of its movement in the other direction, releasing means, a solenoid and armature for alternately moving said member in said other direction and .then releasing said locking means when successively energized, said armature being in operative relation to said member and said releasing means, two controlling circuits for said solenoid, circuit controllers therein, and automaticmeans for breaking one of said controlling circuits after said member is either locked or unlocked and making the other after said member is moved toward either locked or unlocked position.

16. rl`he combination of a switch arm normally tending to move to open position, contacts coperating therewith, a solenoid and an` armature therefor, locking means for holding said switch arm in closed position, means controlled by said solenoid through said armature for moving said switch arm to locked closed position when said solenoid is energized while said switch arm is in open' position, and for releasing said locking means and allowing said switch arm to move to open position when saidi slenoid is energized while said switch arm is in closed position, an auxiliary controlling circuit for energizing said solenoid to close -said switch arm, an automatic circuit breaker in said auxiliary circuit and controlled by said locking means so as to locally open said auxiliary circuit after said switch arm has been locked in closed position and to close said auxiliary circuit while said switch armis unlocked, a second auX- iliary circuit for energizing said solenoid when said switch arm'is in closed position, and manual circuit controlling means for said auxiliary circuits. A

1'?. rlhe comb'nation of a switch ai-in normally tending to move to open position, contacts coperating therewith, a solenoid and an armature therefor, locking means ila for holding said switch arm in closed position, -means controlled by said solenoid through said armature for moving said switch arm to'locked arm is in open position, said locking means and allowing said switch arm to moveto open position when said solenoid is energized while said switch arm 1s 1n closed position, an auxiliary controlling circuit for energizingsaid solenoid to close said switch arm,an automatic circuit breaker in said auxiliary circuit, locally opening said auxiliary closed position when said solenoid is energized while said switch and for releasing y circuit after said switch arm has been locked 1n closed pos1 able in both directions and normally tending to move in one direction, means for locking said member at the end of its movement in the other direction, releasing means, a solenoid and armature for alternately moving said member in said other direction and then releasing said locking means when successively energized, said armature being in operative relation to said member and said releasing means, two controlling circuits for said solenoid, manual circuit controlling means therein, and automatic means for opening a gap in one Vof said controlling circuits after said member has been moved to locked position and closing said gap when said member is unlocked and closing a gap in the second auxiliary circuit when said member is in locked position and opening said gap when said member is unlocked. 7

GERALD w, HART. 

